CONTRACTS: Midfielder signs 18-month deal

Carlisle United have today signed former-Blackburn midfielder John O’Sullivan on an 18-month deal which keeps him at Brunton Park until the summer of 2018.

O’Sullivan, 23, most recently on-loan at the Wham Stadium, played against United in the 1-1 home draw with Stanley at the beginning of September.

He was made a free agent by Blackburn on his return from Accrington this month.

Assistant Manager Lee Dykes said: “John is a player we've admired for quite a while. He's got good pedigree through his time at Blackburn Rovers and he's had some good loan spells where he's been tested in different ways.

"When he first went to Accrington there was a lot of talk about him and Blackburn were turning down six figure bids for him because they had high hopes for him.

"I know he's had a few offers from a higher division but we got in there early like we like to do. Whenever you watch John he stands out, and hopefully he'll stand out for us."

The Republic of Ireland U21 international was signed up to the Rovers academy in 2009 and made his debut for the first team in May 2013, against Birmingham City.

He has enjoyed loan spells with Southport, Accrington (twice), Barnsley, Rochdale and Bury and has made 95 senior appearances in total, scoring nine goals.

He has played for his country at all levels up to and including the U21 age group.